Following midday losses, live cattle futures recovered to close the session mixed. October fats closed at $103.97 on the board. There were 1,764 contracts still open as of Friday. October contracts expire at the end of the week. Feeders ended the first trade day of the week with $0.92 to $1.22 gains. October feeders closed at $133.70 on the board with 1,379 contracts open as of Friday. They expire on Thursday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index dropped another $0.31 to $133.70 on 10/23. Monday cash trading was quiet save for very limited WCB deals at $103. The bulk sales last week were near $104 for the North and $106 in the South. Wholesale boxed beef prices were mixed in the PM report, and widened the Chc/Sel spread to $19.34. USDA reported Choice boxes at $207.83 cwt. and Select boxes at $188.49. That was a 34 cent bump and $2.91 drop respectively. USDA estimates the start to this week’s FI cattle slaughter at 118,000 head for Monday.

Dec 20 Cattle closed at $103.400... Read more

Lean hog trading erased midday losses and futures ended the session with 27 to 72 cent gains. The Fresh Bacon Index was $7.95 higher for the week, to $222.45. The CME Lean Hog Index for 10/22 was $78.54, 6 cents weaker. USDA’s National Average Afternoon Base Hog price was $62.30, up a sharp $3.59. The National Pork Carcass Cutout value $1.39 lower in USDA’s PM update, at $91.86. Bellies fell by $13.17, and offset gains for the majority of the other primal cuts. USDA’s Estimate for Monday’s FI hog slaughter is 492,000 head. That is 1k above the same week last year and up from 477 last Monday.

Dec 20 Hogs closed at $67.750, up $0.725,

Feb 21 Hogs closed at $67.650, up $0.725

Apr 21 Hogs closed at $70.075, up $0.350

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management